Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a before-school physical activity program on middle school students’ social and emotional learning (SEL) and their energy levels. Method: A total of 171 students (67 in program group; 104 in control group) participated in the study from fall 2019 to spring 2022. The physical education teacher implemented the program 3 days per week, for 8 weeks. The students completed a 17-item SEL assessment before and after the program. The program group also reported their energy levels using an energy meter at each session. Results: Students’ SEL in program group improved by 14% (p < .001) at the end of the program. Students also reported higher energy levels (p < .001) following their participation at each session. Discussion/Conclusion: Schools are encouraged to incorporate before-school physical activity programs to energize the students at the start of the school day and improve their SEL.
Purpose: The teaching personal and social responsibility model has been incorporated into out of school time programming globally, but there is limited research focused on how practitioners learn to use the model. Guided by occupational socialization theory, the authors used self-study to understand the experiences of a doctoral student as she developed and implemented a teaching personal and social responsibility-based program in an elementary after-school program. Method: Data were collected through reflective journaling and critical friend discussions. Results: Qualitative data analysis resulted in three turning points: (a) a planted seed needs light and rain, (b) an emerging bud with growing roots, and (c) rising in full bloom. High frustration was present at the start, but she grew to fully enjoy and utilize the model. Discussion/Conclusion: Self-study played a role in her ability to continue learning and growing. These findings reinforce the challenging but rewarding process of implementing novel instructional approaches.
Purpose: Guided by the cultural relevance cycle, this study examined experiences of two novice physical education teachers in urban schools. We focused on successes that teachers encountered while navigating their novice years. Methods: Two purposefully sampled participants completed five journal entries and five semistructured interviews lasting between 45 and 90 min each. To promote trustworthiness, we utilized multiple coders, a peer debriefer, and triangulated data from multiple sources. Participants reviewed themes and responded to researchers’ interpretations. Results: We present the results through three major themes. The first theme involves knowledge of students and community. The second theme describes belonging in the school and community, and the third theme discusses curricular realignment. Discussion and Conclusion: By focusing on elements that empowered novice teachers to find success, initial teacher preparation programs and in-service teacher mentoring programs in urban school districts might identify teaching experiences that may contribute to novice teacher retention.
Purpose: This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable hiking and camping common content knowledge test for Turkish preservice physical education teachers. Method: Participants were 305 physical education students who had previously completed hiking and camping content course in Physical Education Teacher Education. The researchers followed five steps to develop the test. The Rasch model was utilized for data analysis. Results: Findings showed a good item model fit for all items, except Item 4. Results also indicated that the developed test had high internal consistency for both item difficulty and person ability. Overall, the test findings demonstrated good evidence to support the validity and reliability of hiking and camping common content knowledge test. Discussion/Conclusion: The developed test can be used for measuring hiking and camping knowledge level of physical education teachers and Physical Education Teacher Education students.
Physical educators are often asked to promote whole-school physical activity programming beyond their scheduled class times. Previous research has supported that training in expanded roles would be beneficial during university-based physical education teacher education (PETE) training. In this qualitative study, 13 graduates from a single PETE program that has integrated expanded physical activity into programming shared information about their current programming as physical education teachers in K–12 schools. Campus visits and one-on-one interviews were included. Some practices and values learned during participants’ PETE training were evident in graduates’ current practices. Aligning with previous studies of professional socialization of physical educators, the resulting themes concluded that (a) strategies and resources gained during PETE training were valued and still used and (b) other ripples of influence, such as administrators and other teachers at their current placement, influenced programming. PETE programming with whole-school physical activity can lead to expanded teaching practices in schools.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine whether, drawing on the perception of their coaches, the application of the pedagogical model of sport education could be associated with satisfying the basic psychological needs of children from socially vulnerable backgrounds. Method: A 36-session sport education season was implemented within a community program for youths from disadvantaged environments. Three coaches, one researcher, and 31 children aged 9–11 years (17 boys and 14 girls) of diverse ethnicities participated. Qualitative data were obtained through four focus groups conducted during the program in addition to the research diary of the researcher, who played the role of participant observer. Results: The coaches observed a progressive evolution in the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs of competence, autonomy, relatedness, and the need referred to as novelty. Discussion/Conclusion: We may conclude that sport education can be a valuable tool to improve the satisfaction of these needs in children from socially vulnerable backgrounds.
Over the past few decades, scholars have directed increasing attention toward the socialization of physical education faculty members’ recruitment, preparation, and ongoing socialization. Parallel research trajectories have, however, resulted in varied approaches to conceptualizing and labeling the phases or types of socialization experienced by this occupational group. With the view of academic journals as spaces for discourse surrounding divergent approaches to conceptualizing and conducting research, the purpose of this research note was to overview two contrasting conceptualizations of physical education teacher education faculty socialization and propose a unified approach for moving forward in future research. Differing perspectives are reviewed, and an updated conceptual framework for understanding socialization into and through academic roles is proposed. We argue that this model better captures the diversity in and provides flexibility for the backgrounds that draw individuals into careers in higher education and their experiences once serving among the faculty in academia.
Purpose: Grounded in occupational socialization theory, the purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of mentoring underserved youth on the socialization of preservice teachers within a community-engaged after-school program. Methods: Data consisted of semistructured interviews, critical incident accounts, and field notes. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed inductively using elements of grounded theory and constant comparison. Findings: Four themes were developed. First, each participant entered teacher training to provide positive experiences for students. Second, the practical experience supported preservice teachers in feeling more comfortable in their roles as educators. Third, preservice teachers developed personal relationships with the students in the after-school program. Fourth, preservice teachers internalized the obligation to model healthy social–emotional behaviors. Conclusions: Findings indicate the benefits of mentoring in a community-engaged learning project. Interacting with a diverse population of students can positively impact teacher socialization and feelings toward students and teaching.